Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov

Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov (ישיבה זכרון יעקב) was an all-male Jewish Orthodox high school located in New Hempstead, New York which operated under the direction and leadership of Rabbi Eliyahu Maza and, for several years, Secular Studies Principle Rabbi Benyamin Plotzker. It closed in 2013.

Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov
MottoTorah U'Mussar (unofficial)
TypePrivate, Jewish
Established1999
Location
New Hempstead, New York
,
NY

History

Frequently referred to as "Chofetz Chaim of Monsey," Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov was founded in 1999 and graduated its first class in 2003. According to some reports,[1] attendance peaked at around 70 in 2005. Enrollment fell to a modest 40 students per year on average in the school's later years. It ran its high school program until 2013.

Affiliation

The school was an affiliate of the Rabbinical Seminary of America,[2] (which is more commonly known as Chofetz Chaim). As such, its curriculum and ideals matched those of the Chofetz Chaim Yeshivas.

Curriculum

The school combined a traditional Lithuanian-style Yeshiva schedule in the morning with a notable General Studies program in the afternoon to provide a proper education to its students.

Judaic studies

The primary portion of the Judaic Studies curriculum was study of the Babylonian Talmud. Mussar study was considered paramount, and the study of the book Chofetz Chaim highly recommended by the school. The Judaic Studies program also consisted of Halacha and Tanakh. (Study of the Hebrew Language was part of the General Studies program.)

General studies

The typical student in the school took all the required Regents Examinations by the conclusion of four years of schooling: English, two courses in Mathematics, two Sciences (usually Biology and Chemistry), two History courses (World History and Geography and U.S. History and Government), and one foreign language.

Controversy

Success of the High School program ran into two key issues within its Math and English department in 2009- 2010 academic year. The math teacher hired for this year was unaccredited, and many wondered whether this teacher’s appointment was because of a lack of funding for an accredited teacher, an aversion towards hiring female teachers, or both. This resulted in a poor class average for that year’s math Regents exam. Furthermore, the English teacher for that year simply left one day in the middle of the Fall, and never returned (with no explanation for the absence given). The administration could not find a replacement, which lead to English not being taught for months on end. That summer, half the incoming Junior year class transferred to schools with stronger Secular Studies departments for the 2010-2011 academic year. Because the school only had around 40 students total any given year, the impact of such a departure was massive, and Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov never truly recovered (nor did its reputation). It closed its doors for good two years later, in 2013

Alumni

Most (if not all) Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov graduates continue their studies upon graduation at more advanced yeshivas and/or universities.

References
  1. http://high-schools.com/directory/ny/cities/spring-valley/yeshiva-zichron-yaakov/a0108088/
  2. "PTI About Us". Ptibc.org. Retrieved 2013-04-22.

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